The

Immune
System
● The immune system is the system that fights to defend the body against
‘‘foreign’’ invaders, such as bacteria and viruses.
● Any object that initiate a immune response in the body is called an
“Antigen”
● Some of the known form of antigen are Funguses, Bacteria , viruses etc….
● Some cases transplanted organs also act as antigens.
● For many people, the immune system mounts an
● attack against normally harmless substances, such as pollen, tree molds,
poison ivy, animal dander, and particular foods. These people suffer from
allergies; the specific substances that trigger their allergic reactions, such
as sneezing and skin rashes, are called allergens.
● Immunity is defined as the capacity of the body to resist pathogenic
agents. It is the ability of body to resist the entry of different types
of foreign bodies like bacteria, virus, toxic substances, etc.

Immunity are of two types:

I. Innate immunity.
II. Acquired immunity.
 Innate Immunity/ Nonspecific Immunity

● Innate immunity is the inborn capacity of the body to resist pathogens.

● if an organisms enter the body, innate immunity eliminates them before the development
of any disease.
● This type of immunity represents the first line of defense against any type of pathogens.
Therefore, it is also called non-specific immunity.
● AKA first line of defence.

They are as follows

Gastrointestinal tract, Respiratory system, Urinogenital system ,Skin

Phagocytic cells ,Interferons,Complement proteins.
Mechanisms of innate immunity
Internal innate defence / second line of defence

Phagocyte Natural killer cells

1 are scavengers that patrol
the body and engulf and
4 Kills infected and cancerous
cell by puncturing cell
ingest antigens causing Apoptosis

Neutrophils
2 Abundant white cell
Devour pathogen and self
destruct.

Macrophages
3 Similar functioning to that
of phagocyte but with more
appetite.
 ACQUIRED IMMUNITY OR SPECIFIC
IMMUNITY
● Acquired immunity is the resistance developed in the body against any specific
foreign body like bacteria, viruses, toxins, vaccines or transplanted tissues. So,
this type of immunity is also known as specific immunity.

Two types of acquired immunity develop in the body:

1. Cellular immunity
2. Humoral immunity
● Lymphocytes are responsible for the development of these two types of
immunity.
 ● lymphocytes are develop from the bone marrow.

● Lymphocytes are differentiated into 2 categories

1. T lymphocytes or T cells, which are responsible for the development of cellular immunity

2. B lymphocytes or B cells, which are responsible for humoral immunity

T lymphocytes : T lymphocytes are processed in thymus. The processing occurs mostly during
the period between just before birth and few months after birth.

1. Helper T cells or inducer T cells. These cells are also called CD4 cells because of the presence
of molecules called CD4 on their surface.
2. Cytotoxic T cells or killer T cells. These cells are also called CD8 cells because of the presence
of molecules called CD8 on their surface.
3. Suppressor T cells.
4. Memory T cells.
 ● The processing of B lymphocytes takes place in liver (during fetal life) and bone marrow
(after birth).

● B Lymphocytes are differentiated into 2 categories

1. Plasma cells

2. Memory cells

These plasma cells are later converted into antibodies

Storage: are stored in the lymphoid tissues of lymph nodes,

 Antibody‐mediated response

1. Antigens bind to B cells.

2. Interleukins or helper T cells stimulate B cells. In most cases, both an
antigen and a costimulator are required to activate a B cell and initiate B cell
proliferation.
3. B cells proliferate and produce plasma cells. The plasma cells bear
antibodies with the identical antigen specificity as the antigen receptors of
the activated B cells. The antibodies are released and circulate through the
body, binding to antigens.
4. B cells produce memory cells. Memory cells provide future immunity.
 Anti body

Antibodies are protein molecules called immunoglobulins (Ig) that attach to the
surface of invaders and accomplish three results. First, they slow down the invader,
making it an easier and more attractive target for phagocytes to destroy. Second,
they recruit other protein substances that puncture the membrane of an invading
microorganism, causing it to burst. Third, they find new invaders and form memory B
cells that operate in the future like memory T cells.
 Function of Antibody

Functions of Different Antibodies

1. IgA plays a role in localized defense mechanism in external secretions like tear
2. IgD is involved in recognition of the antigen by B lymphocytes
3. IgE is involved in allergic reactions 4. IgG is responsible for complement fixation 5.
4.IgM is also responsible for complement fixation.
 Cell-mediated immunity

1. Antigens bind to B cells.

2. Interleukins or helper T cells co stimulate B cells. In most cases, both an antigen
and a costimulator are required to activate a B cell and initiate B cell proliferation.
3. B cells proliferate and produce plasma cells. The plasma cells bear antibodies with
the identical antigen specificity as the antigen receptors of the activated B cells.
The antibodies are released and circulate through the body, binding to antigens.
4. B cells produce memory cells. Memory cells provide future immunity.
 Autoimmune Diseases

● Autoimmune disease is defined as a condition in which the immune system mistakenly

attacks body’s own cells and tissues.
● body has the tolerance against self antigen ,in some occasions, the tolerance fails or
becomes incomplete against self antigen.
● This state is called autoimmunity and it leads to the activation of T lymphocytes or
production of autoantibodies from B lymphocytes. The T lymphocytes (cytotoxic T cells)
or autoantibodies attack the body’s normal cells whose surface contains the self antigen
or autoantigen.
● Autoimmune diseases are of two types:
1. Organ specific diseases which affect only one organ
2. Organ nonspecific or multisystemic diseases, which affect many organs or systems.
 Autoimmune Diseases

● In rheumatoid arthritis,in which the immune response is directed against tissues and
bones at the joints. This causes swelling and pain and can leave the bones pitted.
● In rheumatic fever,the muscles of the heart are the target, often leaving the heart valves
permanently damage.
● sclerosis results when the immune system attacks the myelin sheath of neurons
 Psychological state and immunity
1. Mood : studies indicate that positive mood is associated with better immune functioning

than that of negative mood is associated with poorer functioning

2. Beliefs: It has also been suggested that beliefs may themselves have a direct effect on

the immune system.

3. Stress : stress has the most crippling effect on the immune system.
Refernce
● Sembulingam;, K. (2021). Essentials of Medical Physiology by K Sembulingam (2012–
09-15). Jaypee Brothers,Medical Publishers Pvt. Ltd.; 6 edition (2012–09-15).

● Smith, T. S. E. P. W. (2021). Health Psychology: Biopsychosocial Interactions by

Edward P. Sarafino (2010–12-28). Wiley; 7 edition (2010–12-28).